Before I start this on, my quick thoughts on the game. Injuries sucked, although everyone should be alright in time for Week 1. Penalties are higher than normal but this is the time to work it out. Overall a solid game. Offense under Kirk moved okay, but failed third down conversions held up drives. Rex was decent, maybe more than decent. White looked decent for a 4th stringer and lead a touchdown drive. The defense was fantastic. Solid wall in the run game, forced a ton of turnovers, good defense in the redzone and solid control the entire game. Also Ryan Kerrigan is the man.
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My Acura (completed) project car overheated on the road today and I was able to work it out thanks to my car know-how. If this happens to you here's what to do:
So you're driving down the road and all of the sudden you notice one of two things: steam/smoke coming from the hood, or your temperature gauge is all the way up in the red. What do you do? First off, pull over and shutoff the car immediately. If, for some reason, you are unable to stop immediately turn the heater on full blast and turn the fans all the way up, this will help direct some of the engine's heat into the cabin and buy you some time.
If you continue to drive like this and ignore the temp gauge you risk destroying your radiator, melting the plastic components under the hood, warping and eventually destroying your engine. Overheating is one of the most dangerous things that could happen to your car and ignoring it will lead to either a hefty repair bill or a 2 ton piece of scrap metal.
So once you've pulled over and shut off the car carefully open the hood. If there's steam coming try to isolate where it's specifically coming from, this will help you find the source of your problem. Once it clears up see if you can see any green coolant that may have been burning in the area. Again be careful as everything is obviously really hot. Next check your coolant reservoir. See if it's particularly low. If it is, chances are you're leaking coolant somewhere. Check your owner's manual if you're unsure of where it is. Whatever you do don't open the cap just yet!
Let the car cool down for at least thirty minutes before you try to open the radiator cap. And when you do, try to open it with a rag if you can to keep your hands from burning. Carefully open the cap, if you don't let it cool enough the steam and coolant may rush out and burn your hands/face. If it is low, add coolant until the radiator is full, if you don't have coolant you can add water. Distilled is best, but use whatever you have available. After filling it let it cool some more and start it up. If the temp gauge normalizes go back under the hood and see if you find the coolant leak. If it's serious it's best to get a tow. If it's not that bad, then drive carefully and keep an eye on the temp gauge. If it goes back to H in less than a mile then stop, and get the car towed. If after a longer distance like 3+ miles it happens pull over and add coolant. If topping off coolant doesn't fix it you have a stuck thermostat or a blown headgasket or some other problem that you won't be able to service on the side of the road. Shell out the money and pay for a tow, if you keep driving you risk ruining your engine and a much more expensive repair.
If the gauge settles back to normal (usually half way or below), then drive carefully with the heater on full blast and remember that highway driving is easier on the car than city driving. Just stay close to the shoulder so you can pullover and top off the coolant if the gauge starts to go up again. Highway driving is easier on the engine and the higher speeds mean more air is going through the radiator which helps keep the car cool. Only drive like this if you don't have that far to go. I was around 6-7 miles away from my house when my car broke down so I filled it up and got on the highway and took it home. Longer distances are dangerous. Is it worth skipping the $100 tow and risking your $2000 engine chances are you'll be fine if you're careful but I wouldn't risk it. Whatever the case may be don't panic, be careful around the scalding temperatures under the hood, and be happy that you learned how to save your car on TheMasterDebater! If you have a question leave a comment!
In summary:
1. Pullover and shut car off ASAP.
2. Check coolant levels.
3. Let car cool and top off coolant until full.
4. Start car and see if gauge settles back to normal.
5. If it does, drive carefully and top off as the gauge goes back up.
5b. If it doesn't, stop now and have the car towed.
6. Get the problem fixed by a mechanic ASAP.
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 |
| If you see the needle on or near the H, PULL OVER! |
So you're driving down the road and all of the sudden you notice one of two things: steam/smoke coming from the hood, or your temperature gauge is all the way up in the red. What do you do? First off, pull over and shutoff the car immediately. If, for some reason, you are unable to stop immediately turn the heater on full blast and turn the fans all the way up, this will help direct some of the engine's heat into the cabin and buy you some time.
If you continue to drive like this and ignore the temp gauge you risk destroying your radiator, melting the plastic components under the hood, warping and eventually destroying your engine. Overheating is one of the most dangerous things that could happen to your car and ignoring it will lead to either a hefty repair bill or a 2 ton piece of scrap metal.
So once you've pulled over and shut off the car carefully open the hood. If there's steam coming try to isolate where it's specifically coming from, this will help you find the source of your problem. Once it clears up see if you can see any green coolant that may have been burning in the area. Again be careful as everything is obviously really hot. Next check your coolant reservoir. See if it's particularly low. If it is, chances are you're leaking coolant somewhere. Check your owner's manual if you're unsure of where it is. Whatever you do don't open the cap just yet!
Let the car cool down for at least thirty minutes before you try to open the radiator cap. And when you do, try to open it with a rag if you can to keep your hands from burning. Carefully open the cap, if you don't let it cool enough the steam and coolant may rush out and burn your hands/face. If it is low, add coolant until the radiator is full, if you don't have coolant you can add water. Distilled is best, but use whatever you have available. After filling it let it cool some more and start it up. If the temp gauge normalizes go back under the hood and see if you find the coolant leak. If it's serious it's best to get a tow. If it's not that bad, then drive carefully and keep an eye on the temp gauge. If it goes back to H in less than a mile then stop, and get the car towed. If after a longer distance like 3+ miles it happens pull over and add coolant. If topping off coolant doesn't fix it you have a stuck thermostat or a blown headgasket or some other problem that you won't be able to service on the side of the road. Shell out the money and pay for a tow, if you keep driving you risk ruining your engine and a much more expensive repair.
If the gauge settles back to normal (usually half way or below), then drive carefully with the heater on full blast and remember that highway driving is easier on the car than city driving. Just stay close to the shoulder so you can pullover and top off the coolant if the gauge starts to go up again. Highway driving is easier on the engine and the higher speeds mean more air is going through the radiator which helps keep the car cool. Only drive like this if you don't have that far to go. I was around 6-7 miles away from my house when my car broke down so I filled it up and got on the highway and took it home. Longer distances are dangerous. Is it worth skipping the $100 tow and risking your $2000 engine chances are you'll be fine if you're careful but I wouldn't risk it. Whatever the case may be don't panic, be careful around the scalding temperatures under the hood, and be happy that you learned how to save your car on TheMasterDebater! If you have a question leave a comment!
In summary:
1. Pullover and shut car off ASAP.
2. Check coolant levels.
3. Let car cool and top off coolant until full.
4. Start car and see if gauge settles back to normal.
5. If it does, drive carefully and top off as the gauge goes back up.
5b. If it doesn't, stop now and have the car towed.
6. Get the problem fixed by a mechanic ASAP.
lol let me just say that this post took alot out of me, but the summary at the end actually pieced things together smoothly!
ReplyDeleteGreat job explaining in detail and summarizing the things to do in case of overheating. Taking care of the radiator is really something many car owners take for granted. Failing to conduct regular maintenance will shorten its life, and repairs can cost a lot.
ReplyDeleteNeil Canipe @ Radiator.com/CA/Sacramento/3
I had a similar experience a couple of years ago with my last car. You make an important point about how you need to pull off to the side and let your car cool down to prevent damage to plastic and rubber parts under the hood. As you mentioned, if the car temp doesn't settle, you will need to have your car towed to a mechanic to get the radiator repaired. It's not worth doing extensive damage to your engine. http://www.advancedautocareca.com/lake-elsinore-ca-engine-and-break-services.htm
ReplyDelete